el verano

i had an incredible summer. i learned how to be happy with myself, made new friends that are now like family, worked on my patience, attended a million weddings, and even got a little tan (really! i did). i decided that instead of writing a post about each individual thing i am going to lump them all together in this summary of my june to september months. readyyyyy, BREAK.

my baby sister graduated from high school

a few days after that i started my summer job at jameson ranch. i nannyed two very cute and strong-willed little girls.

got roped by a cute cowboy

"married" an 11 year old on Gold Rush Day

and tried to see how many people we could fit on a single couch at one time.

i played in the mud

turned 22

and made new, lifelong friends.

i crashed The Boat

went without a car for three months, then purchased Ziggy.

Erin got married :) to Domingo. they are amazing examples to me of what love is.

my best cousin Liz and one of my best friends Joe got married. i introduced them last year. they are sooo happy. i was SO blessed to be there and to have a special connection with both the bride and the groom. it was one of the best days of my life thus far.

annd you better BELIEVE we double-dutched at their reception.

derik came home! welcome back Elder Krauss

annnd that was my summer! my job at the ranch came to an end with the summer and i went back to spending every day with my lil bff Anna and her two brothers.

i'm doing great, taking one day at a time and trying to enjoy life while figuring out what the heck to do with my life. for now i'm a full-time nanny for two of mary's sisters' families, i have a calling in the single's branch (FHE mom) and i'm trying to save as much moolah as possible (luckily Ziggy gets 30 miles to the gallon. atta boy).

the end!

loves of my life

march 2009

august 2010
(first day of junior high, first day of senior year, first day of high school)

ummm... grown-up much?

it has been such a blessing being involved in the Hubbles' lives for the last six years. i'm so proud of these kids and who they have become. i'd do anything for these three.

my favorite lil miss

today is my last day of work of being a nanny for three very awesome kids.
since mary lives alllllll the way away in illinois, substituting as my in-person bff for the last five months is her 6 year old niece, anna. she has been my friend, my playmate, and my counselor. why is it that little kids know so much, and often times have better advice than adults? she has taught me about life and has kept me laughing constantly. these are some of her funny, cute and clever moments:

anna: "how do you know how to drive if you're not married?"

me: "anna, is your cat a girl or a boy?"
anna: "he's a boy. cuz he has a red penis."

me: "anna did you pee??"
anna: "jenny jones, i always pee."

anna: "g-e-t. get. like, get a puppy?"
me: "yep! i get a puppy!"
anna: "whennn???"
me: "this summer when my dog has puppies."
anna: "*GASP* just kill me."

anna: "dont worry you're just on a break. a break means you break up and then one night he comes when you are sleeping and kisses you on the cheek and then you go on a date and the break is over."

anna: "i love sunsets. arent they cute?"

me: "lets go sugar!"
anna: "im not sugar."
me: "sorry. lets go, salt."
anna: "im not salt!"
me: "ummmm, pepper?"
anna: "NOOOOOO!!"
me: "okayy lets go, cutie."
anna: "yeah. i am a cutie."

anna: "do i look sexy?"
me: "umm, where did you learn that word?"

anna: "from my dad. he says it to my mom."

(watching Chuck)
me: "He's pretty cute huh?"
anna: "YES! ughh. if only i was his age... i could marry him."

me: "we're going to see my sister!"
anna: "is she brown?"
me: "...no..."
anna: "i have a cousin who is alll brown. shes sooo beautiful. like a cookie."

anna: "don't be sad. if you ever get sad, just think about me! and then you'll be happy."

me gusta

mary asked this question: what do you like?

I get to spend my afternoons with this silly girl – and I like that.

I sneeze when the sun is in my eyes – and I like that.

I have a testimony fuerte of the Gospel – and I like that.

My hair used to be stick straight, and now its beachy wavy aka easier to do – and I like that.

I have a really cute mom – and I like that.

I have friends near and far who love me and think about me and call to see how I’m doing – and I like that.

My dogs are 2 of the funniest people I know – and I like that.

I really want to be a mom – and I like that.

Right now I’m taking life one day at a time… and I like that.

--- ohhh and i made this tiedyed shirt! -and i like that :) ---


...what do YOU like?

...

(anna is 5 years old.)

Me: "What does it mean when a boy chases you?"

Anna: "It means you have to run away."

...sigh... i wish grownup love was like kindergarten love.